Offroad LED Lights - Location and type?

luk3jay · Feb 28, 2019

Hi all, i'd like to fit some LED light bars to my 110. i'm an electrician by trade so wiring, light output etc isn't a problem, but i'd love some advice on where to locate the lights!

I'd like to have 360* coverage (on separate switches, most of the time i'll only use the front) so i plan to install a large bar on the front, medium on the rear, and small on both sides.

Front light: where is best to mount? position 1(Red), 2(blue) or 3(green)? i'm leaning towards 3, but i'd prefer to avoid drilling holes as much as possible, so how would be best to mount?

Side light: where is best to mount? position 1 (red) or 2(blue)? i think 2 would be better, but i'm concerned it may reflect from the wing mirror into my eyes...

Finally, what lights would you guys recommend? I've found this site which seems great! my budget for front light is between £50-£120, side lights i'd rather keep below £80 for both, and rear upto £50 or £60. I'd like to keep the cost down as much as possible but don;t want to sacrifice quality!

Thanks for the suggestions! i'll update when i decide and install!

Hicap phill · Feb 28, 2019

So you may need green & blue for the front. As green could throw a shadow just in front of the bonnet.
If you then mount 2 lights off the same roof mount point low & backwards so will not show in the mirrors.
Remember branches & damages.
I would use small lights on sides.

Hope this helps

mick the builder · Feb 28, 2019

An Electrician worrying about spending too much money?

kevstar · Feb 28, 2019

mick the builder said:
An Electrician worrying about spending too much money?

He's colour blind so only gets 30 quid an hour

mick the builder · Feb 28, 2019

kevstar said:
He's colour blind so only gets 30 quid an hour

I knew they'd be a good reason.

kevstar · Feb 28, 2019

mick the builder said:
I knew they'd be a good reason.

either that or short arms & deep pockets lol

luk3jay · Mar 1, 2019

If i was worried about spending money, i wouldn't have bought a 1980s defender!

dag019 · Mar 1, 2019

I would agree with @Hicap phill and fit front ones on both the roof and the bumper/a-bar. You can fit roof lights without needing to drill anything, there are mounting bars that clamp to the gutter and the cabling can be run up the outside of the windscreen pillar (is the perfect excuse to fit a snorkel to run the wires up

)

What is the reason for wanting side lights? They are not something I have ever needed and from my use at least I would spend more time removing them from the tree that had just ripped them off than using them to illuminate where the wheels are.

luk3jay · Mar 1, 2019

Thanks, all good advice! I understand that lights at the front of the roof will create a shadow, but won't this be taken care of by the factory headlamps? I've never fitted led lights to a vehicle before so I'm greatful for all the info!

The reason for the side lights is because this defender is a campervan, so when I'm driving around off the track areas, looking for somewhere to park I'd like to be able to see left and right to look for suitable spots without having to face the vehicle in the direction i want to look at.

Thanks!

dag019 said:
I would agree with @Hicap phill and fit front ones on both the roof and the bumper/a-bar. You can fit roof lights without needing to drill anything, there are mounting bars that clamp to the gutter and the cabling can be run up the outside of the windscreen pillar (is the perfect excuse to fit a snorkel to run the wires up )

What is the reason for wanting side lights? They are not something I have ever needed and from my use at least I would spend more time removing them from the tree that had just ripped them off than using them to illuminate where the wheels are.

Muppetdaze · Mar 1, 2019

Could mount the side lighting little bit inboard under the roof rack perhaps?

Hicap phill · Mar 1, 2019

Ok. I thought you needed the lights for off roading.

So top lights on roof only facing forward.

What about a square work light for the sides?

mick the builder · Mar 1, 2019

I've always fancied having the one the US police have going through the front pillar with the handle on the inside. Just saying.

luk3jay · Mar 2, 2019

Muppetdaze said:
Could mount the side lighting little bit inboard under the roof rack perhaps?

I think this is a sensible idea!

Hicap phill said:
Ok. I thought you needed the lights for off roading.
So top lights on roof only facing forward.

What about a square work light for the sides?

I do... looking for off road camping spots

work lights are a good idea, does anyone have any brands to recommend/avoid?

Offroad LED Lights - Location and type?

luk3jay

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Hicap phill

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mick the builder

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kevstar

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mick the builder

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kevstar

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luk3jay

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dag019

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luk3jay

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Muppetdaze

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Hicap phill

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mick the builder

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luk3jay

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